"The enemy cannot withstand their onslaught": Airborne Forces commander tells how paratroopers fight

The Russian Airborne Forces fought in the special military operation where the situation was most difficult. This was stated by the Airborne Forces Commander, Hero of Russia, Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky in his congratulations on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Airborne Forces.

The commander particularly noted the "invincible airborne spirit" instilled in the troops by the legendary commander of the Airborne Forces, Hero of the Soviet Union, General of the Army Vasily Filippovich Margelov. It was this spirit that turned the Airborne Forces into "the main striking force of the Soviet, and then Russian army," Teplinsky said.

According to him, the SVO has become a special test for the Airborne Forces, the "Blue Berets" have been demonstrating extraordinary courage, readiness for self-sacrifice and the highest professionalism every day for three and a half years," Teplinsky said. He noted that the Airborne Forces "are always sent where it is most difficult."

The paratroopers, the commander noted, participated "in fierce battles in the most important areas, where the enemy suffered the most significant losses." These were battles on the Nikolayev-Krivoy Rog bridgehead in the summer and fall of 2022; while holding the line in the Kremennaya area during the disruption of the Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive in the Zaporizhzhya direction in the summer of 2023; in the destruction of Ukrainian marines in Krynki; while repelling the enemy offensive in the Kursk region.

The commander noted that the Airborne Forces "have radically changed and continue to change the means of armed struggle, in accordance with which the tactics of action are also changing." "I say with confidence," he said, "in terms of the use of innovative solutions - whether it is the deployment of new units of unmanned systems or equipping troops with new small arms - the Airborne Forces are trying to keep up with the times, and sometimes even get ahead of them."

At the same time, the general noted, "despite the growing role of technology, the outcome of armed conflict, as in the past, is decisively determined by the courage and training of the fighter." "When our assault group, having traveled kilometers through a forest belt, attacks the same enemy group, the one who is stronger in spirit wins," said Mikhail Teplinsky.

According to him, during the time of the SVO, the VDV "have been replenished with a huge number of volunteers who, having previously served in the airborne forces, have returned to our ranks." "And those recruits who have not served with us, having come to the troops, are imbued with our Margelov spirit, and the enemy cannot withstand their onslaught," the general said.

He reported that two divisions, two brigades and a regiment that participated in the liberation of the Kursk region are fighting in different directions today. The Novorossiysk division is advancing on Zaporozhye, and the Ivanovo airborne division has completed the liberation of Chasy Yar of the Donetsk People's Republic.

During the SVO, about 100 thousand state awards were given to the Airborne Forces. 99 paratroopers became Heroes of Russia. Most of the wounded returned to duty and are fighting in their units.

12 Airborne Forces units received Guards titles. Five divisions, two brigades and six regiments were awarded orders. The 237th Airborne Assault Regiment, which became a Guards regiment during the SVO, was awarded two orders: Suvorov and Alexander Nevsky. And the 11th separate Guards Airborne Assault Brigade was awarded three orders: Zhukov, Kutuzov and Suvorov.

The commander assured that the paratroopers would make every effort for our common victory. "Our cause is just, the enemy will be defeated, victory will be ours!" - the commander concluded.